Hangman Adam Page Addresses Online Backlash Over Controversial Photo with Marty Scurll

Hangman Adam Page recently dealt with online backlash over a photo being posted online of him hanging out together with disgraced wrestler Marty Scurll. This photo was taken by Scurll and took place on the day of AEW’s Dynamite show on January 21st in Orlando, Florida.

Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown on SI held a recent interview with Page. One of the topics discussed included Page’s thoughts about how he had thought about writing a post addressing the controversy but he felt it would be better to do so in a way where he could look fans in the eye and explain himself. Page also stated that he has kept in contact with Scurll over the past six years but he feels that the accusations against Scurll is “abhorrent” and “disgraceful.”

“I don’t want that photo to seem like some kind of endorsement, or, I have any interest whatsoever in whitewashing what he did, or any interest or intention of rehabilitating his public image. None of that is something that I’ve ever been interested in doing. Not now, not ever.

And I think that the consequences of his actions that he’s had mostly from the public, aside from, like, harassment, I think they’ve been warranted. So I kind of want to make that clear.”

Page also gave his thoughts about how he did not expect the photo to be posted publicly and he understands if fans have lost some respect or feel uncomfortable supporting him as a result.

“I guess who I am is, when people treat me with kindness, I try to return it. I have never really wanted to get into that. And that’s more or less why I have a private relationship with him. Not out of a sense of self-preservation or shame, or something like that. But more or less, I just would never want that to be misconstrued as like an endorsement or an effort to rehabilitate someone’s public image, something like that.

But I guess I’ve just always thought that he’s still a human being, and that relationships are complicated, but they’re still relationships, and he’s still a human being.”

Page also gave his thoughts about building back trust with fans who are disappointed with him still associating with Scurll.

“I guess the best that I can do is, you know, when asked about it like this to try to be as open and transparent as I can. And I can just tell you the truth of who I am and the decisions I’ve made. And truthfully say that even if you’ve lost the tiniest amount of respect for me because of my choices, I can accept that. Like, I completely accept that. I understand it. I get it.”

Scurll had been among those outed during the Speaking Out movement in 2020. Scurll was accused of sexually assaulted a minor, which he has claimed that the encounter was consensual. Despite the accusations, Scurll has continued to work in the indies for smaller promotions around the world including Mexico.